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Crossing Tracks - Harry's War: Preparing for war
Title:
Crossing Tracks - Harry's War: Preparing for war
NFSA ID
601505
Year
2000
Warnings
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following program may contain images and/or audio of deceased persons
A young boy Keithy (Sam Kirby) runs along a dirt road screaming, ‘Djaambi! Djaambi!’. He jumps into the arms of his older cousin, Harry Saunders (David Ngoombujarra) and both roll on the ground. Harry Saunders is dressed in army greens, his mother (Christina Saunders), father (Bob Maza) and cousin (Pauline Whyman) have come to bid him farewell walking him to the train. Keithy tells Harry he has something for him, and hands him a crumpled photograph of three generations of Saunders men; Harry’s father, Harry and Keithy. A crow craws, sitting atop a sign nailed to a tree that says 'Three Waterhole Creek’. Harry walking by the crow pauses to consider the black bird. A train whistle cries in the background. Harry Saunders, Thomas Green (Glenn Shea) and Mitch (Peter Docker) walk into a bar. Mitch (Peter Docker) the only white digger is invited to have a beer, but the two Aboriginal diggers are not welcome. Harry turns to the patrons and tells them that if he can wear the uniform, he can have a beer. The publican (Terry Gill) tells Mitch he and his mates can have one beer, 'then get on your bike’. The men drink to the 2nd 14. Harry yells, ‘My shout!’, and tosses his coins onto the bar.
Summary by Romaine Moreton
It is estimated that between 400 and 500 Aboriginal people served in the First World War, and over 3,000 in the Second World War, yet Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are greatly excluded from the Australian digger legend. While both Aboriginal men and women fought along side other Australian’s during the Second World War, Aboriginal people were not recognised as citizens in Australia, and social mobility and interaction restricted as in accordance with the Restriction of the Sale of Opium and Protection of Aboriginals Act from 1897 to 1971. Reg Saunders MBE was the first Aboriginal man to be promoted to commissioned rank. Faith Bandler, who enlisted in the Australian Women’s Land Army during the Second World War was also involved in the fight for Aboriginal Rights that culminated in the 1967 referendum to grant Aboriginal people rights.
Harry's War Synopsis
Harry Saunders (David Ngoombujarra) prepares to go to fight for his country in the Second World War, but his fight is also for the rights of the Indigenous people. Harry carries the hope that fighting for his country will make a difference for his family and his people; that fighting along side the white citizens of Australia will eventually help Indigenous people to win citizenship also.
Harry's War Curator's Notes
Harry Saunders goes to fight in the war with the hope that his participation will help win his people citizen’s rights and equality. Richard Frankland, writer and director of Harry’s Waris the third generation of Indigenous men to have served in the Australian army. Harry’s War was awarded the Jury Prize for Best Short Film at the Hollywood Black Film Festival in 2000.
‘When you have art you have voice, when you have voice you have freedom, with freedom of course comes responsibility.’
Appointed as senior advisor to the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody at the age of 25, Richard Frankland’s experience as a field officer for the Royal Commission greatly influences his work as a filmmaker, musician and artist. Frankland has been a fisher, soldier, politician, and continues to be an important voice within the political landscape of Indigenous affairs. Frankland founded the Your Voice political party and vied for a Senate seat in the state of Victoria in 2004.
Frankland’s other films include No Way to Forget, After Mabo and Who Killed Malcom Smith. An experienced songwriter and musician he performs with the Charcoal Club, and has also written for the follow works theatre: Conversations with the Dead, No Way to Forget, Who Killed Malcolm Smith?
Other films in the AFC Indigenous Branch drama initiative Crossing Tracks (1999) are Saturday Night, Sunday Morning and Wind.
Notes by Romaine Moreton
Production company
Golden Seahorse Productions
Director
Richard J Frankland
Writer
Richard J Frankland
Cast
Kylie Belling, Peter Docker, Terry Gill, Rose Kirby, Sam Kirby, Bob Maza, David Ngoombujarra, Christina Saunders, Glenn Shea, Pauline Whyman
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia acknowledges Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and gives respect to their Elders both past and present.